Method and system for operating electrical consumers in a building

ABSTRACT

A method and a system are provided for switching at least one electrical consumer in a building comprising an elevator system. The switched electrical consumer is, for example, a camera. The camera is activated if when using the elevator system the user does not actuate a building door within an ascertained route time, i.e. the user does not arrive at his/her destination. It is possible using an image recorded by the camera to establish whether the user is possibly in a dangerous situation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of the co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/990,025 filed Oct. 28, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for switching at least one electricalconsumer in a building comprising an elevator system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in building systems technology to use switches to switchelectrical consumers. For this purpose, at least one power contact of abuilding power network is switched to the electrical consumer. Forexample, an electric lighting unit in the building is switched on, oroff or dimmed by means of a manual switch.

DE 44 258 76 A1 demonstrates a power outlet with an integrated networknode and a current supply of the network node with the aim of increasingthe functionality. The network node communicates via a building powernetwork in a bus system and, in response to commands from a higher levelcontrol center, switches a relay in the power outlet. Electricalconsumers connected to the power outlet are thus switched by the centralcontrol. The building power network serves both to supply the electricalconsumers with electrical current and also to allow the network node andthe control center to communicate with each other via the bus system.

With the aim of providing an uncomplicated communications standard whichcan be adapted to suit the most varied conditions, the short-rangecommunications standard ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) has been developed inaccordance withhttp://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.15.4-2003.pdf.According to this short-range communications standard ZigBee (IEEE802.15.4) a command is transmitted to switch the electrical consumer viaa radio network which is separate from the building power network. It istrue that only small quantities of data from 20 to 250 Kb/s can betransmitted over short distances of less than 300 meters, but in view ofthe teaching of DE 44 258 76 A1 the short-range communication has theadvantage that temporal and local changes in the impedance behavior ofthe building power network cannot lead to disruptions to communications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to develop further the switchingof electrical consumers in a building.

The electrical consumer is supplied with electrical current from atleast one electrical current supply. At least one power contact from theelectrical current supply to the electrical consumer is switched bymeans of at least one switch. The electrical consumer and the switch arecontrolled from at least one network node. Such a network node receivesin at least one radio network at least one control signal. The processof switching a consumer commences, so that an identity of at least oneuser is detected from at least one identification sensor and at leastone identification sensor signal is generated as a control signal for adetected identity of a user. The identification sensor signal istransmitted from the identification sensor via at least one network nodein the radio network.

At least one destination signal is generated for a transmittedidentification sensor signal. At least one door in the building and aroute time from the identification sensor generating the identificationsensor signal to the building door designated by the destination signalis ascertained for a generated destination signal. Subsequently, a checkis performed to establish whether a door sensor signal of a door sensorof the building door designated by the destination signal is transmittedprior to the route time expiring. In the event that such a door sensorsignal is not transmitted, at least one electrical consumer, for examplea camera, is ascertained on the route from the identification sensorgenerating the identification sensor signal to the building doordesignated by the destination signal. At least one activation signal isgenerated for the ascertained electrical consumer and a network addressof a network node of a switch of the electrical consumer is ascertained.The generated activation signal and the ascertained network address ofthe network node are transmitted to a network node of the ascertainedelectrical consumer, from where the generated activation signal istransmitted to the ascertained network address of the first network nodeof the switch. The third electrical consumer is switched to “ON” by theswitch by virtue of the activation signal. If the third electricalconsumer is, for example, a camera, then this records at least one imageof the route from the identification sensor generating theidentification sensor signal to the building door designated by thedestination signal. The recorded image is transmitted from the thirdelectrical consumer via one or a plurality of network nodes to a controldevice and/or via a network to a remote control center.

At least one reference image of a user which has been generated inadvance is prepared advantageously for the identification sensor signal.The transmitted image is compared with the reference image. In the eventthat the user on the transmitted image is recognized, it is ascertainedwhether the user is in a dangerous situation. In the event that the useris in a dangerous situation, an alarm signal is generated.

The alarm signal and a position indicator of the identification sensor,which has generated the identification sensor signal, and/or a positionindicator of the third electrical consumer which has recorded the imageis transmitted advantageously to at least one remote control centerand/or to a building security system. At least one safety officer isassigned to the denoted site of the identification sensor or to thedenoted site of the third electrical consumer.

A door sensor detects whether at least one building door is opened orclosed and if it detects that a door is opened or closed, it generatesat least one door sensor signal as a control signal, wherein the doorsensor signal can be used to indicate whether the building door isopened or closed from a side remote from at least one first electricalconsumer and/or whether the building door has been opened or closed froma side facing the first electrical consumer. This has the advantage thatthe door sensor signal indicates the direction in which a user is movingin the building and as a result it is possible to ascertain in a moreconvenient manner the electrical consumers to be switched.

The door sensor signal indicates “ON” if a building door has been openedor closed from a side remote from the first electrical consumer.Accordingly, the door sensor signal indicates “OFF” or “DIM”, if abuilding door is opened or closed from a side facing the firstelectrical consumer.

If a control signal is transmitted via at least one second network nodedirectly to the first network node or via the second network node to atleast one third network node and from the third network node to at leastone control device, this has the advantage that a control signal iseither converted directly at a first network node or is prepared inadvance by a control device. It is practical to transmit the controlsignal directly to the first network node of this first or secondelectrical consumer, especially if a single first or second electricalconsumer is to be switched.

At least one first electrical consumer is ascertained advantageously fora transmitted control signal. A network address of a first network nodeof a switch of the first electrical consumer is ascertained for theascertained first electrical consumer. The transmitted control signaland the ascertained network address of the first network node aretransmitted to the third network node. The transmitted control signal istransmitted from the third network node to the ascertained networkaddress of the first network node.

This has the advantage that the control device can ascertain for acontrol signal a plurality of first electrical consumers and allocatedfirst network nodes.

At least one destination signal which designates a building door isadvantageously designated for a transmitted door sensor signal. At leastone first electrical consumer is ascertained for a generated destinationsignal on the path from the door sensor generating the door sensorsignal to the building door designated by the destination signal. Anetwork address of a first network node of a switch of the firstelectrical consumer is ascertained for each ascertained first electricalconsumer. The transmitted door sensor signal and the ascertained networkaddress of the first network node are transmitted to the third networknode. The transmitted door sensor signal is transmitted from the thirdnetwork node to the ascertained network address of the first networknode. This has the advantage that the control device for a door sensorsignal generates a destination signal and thus ascertains a route fromthe door sensor generating the door sensor signal to the building doorin the building as designated by the destination signal. It is thuspossible to allocate an access door to the building permanently to adoor sensor signal of an access door to an apartment as a destinationsignal. As the user leaves the apartment, all the first electricalconsumers as far as the access door to the building are subsequentlyswitched on automatically.

At least one access authorization of a user to a building area isadvantageously checked for a transmitted identification sensor signal.In the event that an access authorization of the user to a building areais available for a transmitted identification sensor signal, at leastone first electrical consumer in the building area is ascertained. Atleast one control signal is generated for the ascertained firstelectrical consumer and a network address of a first network node of aswitch of the first electrical consumer is ascertained. The generatedcontrol signal and the ascertained network address of the first networknode are transmitted to the third network node. The generated controlsignal is transmitted from the third network node to the ascertainednetwork address of the first network node.

This provides the particular advantage that a first electrical consumer,i.e. for example an electric lighting unit, in the building area beingmonitored for access is switched only for users with accessauthorization.

At least one destination request signal which designates a destinationfloor level is generated advantageously for a transmitted identificationsensor signal. The destination request signal is transmitted to at leastone elevator control device and at least one user is transported in atleast one elevator cabin in accordance with this destination requestsignal to the destination floor level. At least one first electricalconsumer on the destination floor level is ascertained. At least onecontrol signal is generated for the ascertained first electricalconsumer and a network address of a first network node of a switch ofthe first electrical consumer is ascertained. The generated controlsignal and the ascertained network address of the first network node aretransmitted to the third network node. The generated control signal istransmitted from the third network node to the ascertained networkaddress of the first network node.

This is advantageous since, as a consequence, a destination request foran elevator system is automatically generated by the identificationsensor signal. Thus, it is possible to permanently pre-define adestination floor level for a user, for whom an identification sensor ona starting floor level generates an identification sensor signal. Forexample, an identified user is automatically transported in the morningsfrom the starting floor level in the multi-story car park to his officeon the destination floor level.

The above mentioned object is also achieved using a computer programproduct having at least one computer program means which is suitable forimplementing the method for switching at least one electrical consumerby virtue of the fact that at least one of the method steps mentionedabove or explained below is performed, if the computer program means isloaded into a processor at least of one network node or a control deviceor a remote control center.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplified embodiments of the invention are explained in detail withreference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a part of an exemplifiedembodiment of a first electrical current supply of a first network nodefor switching an electrical consumer;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a first exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where an electric lighting unit as anelectrical consumer is switched;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a second exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where an electric lighting unit as anelectrical consumer is switched;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a third exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where an electric lighting unit as anelectrical consumer is switched;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a fourth exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where a door opening mechanism as anelectrical consumer is switched;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a fifth exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where a door opening mechanism as anelectrical consumer is switched;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a sixth exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where a door opening mechanism as anelectrical consumer is switched;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a seventh exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where a camera as an electrical consumer isswitched;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a part of an eighth exemplifiedembodiment of the invention, where a camera as an electrical consumer isswitched;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a first exemplifiedembodiment of a building door having a door sensor for an electricalconsumer in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 9;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a second exemplifiedembodiment of a building door having a door sensor for an electricalconsumer in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 9;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a first exemplifiedembodiment of an identification sensor for an electrical consumer inaccordance with FIGS. 2 to 9;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a second exemplifiedembodiment of an identification sensor for an electrical consumer inaccordance with FIGS. 2 to 9;

FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram indicating the method steps of the methodfor switching an electrical consumer in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 9having a sensor in accordance with FIGS. 10 to. 13; and

FIG. 15 shows a schematic illustration of a part of an exemplifiedembodiment of a building having electrical consumers in accordance withFIGS. 2 to 9 and sensors in accordance with FIGS. 10 to 13.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 2 to 9 show exemplified embodiments of an electrical consumer ofthe invention. In accordance with FIGS. 2 to 4, a first electricalconsumer 1 in the embodiment of an electric lighting unit is switched bymeans of a sensor 6 in an embodiment of a door sensor 6 or by means of asensor in an embodiment of an identification sensor 6′. In accordancewith FIGS. 5 to 7 a second electrical consumer 1′in the embodiment of adoor opening mechanism is switched by means of an identification sensor6′. In accordance with FIGS. 8 and 9, a third electrical consumer 1″inthe embodiment of a camera is switched by means of a door sensor 6.

The electrical consumer 1, 1′, 1″ is located in a building G. Thebuilding G comprises at least one zone, the zone can be mobile orstationary, the building G can also comprise a plurality of apportionedzones. Thus, the building G can be quite easily a mobile zone such as amotor vehicle, a caravan, a wagon, an elevator car, etc., or thebuilding G can be a stationary zone such as a house, an office block, ahigh-rise building, a hospital, etc., or the building G can be aplurality of apportioned zones such as a building campus, an airport, anexhibition center, etc.

The building G comprises at least one building door 8 (FIG. 10). Thebuilding door 8 is an access door to an apartment in the building Gand/or an access door to the building G. In accordance with FIGS. 10 and11 the building door 8 comprises at least one door leaf and a doorframe. The door leaf comprises a door trim with door handle 61 and doorlatch. The door frame comprises a lock plate.

The building G comprises at least one building power network 2 (FIG. 1).This is an electricity supply to the building G and thus also theelectrical consumers 1, 1′, 1″in building G comprising electricalcurrent, e.g. 220 VAC AC, 380 VAC rotary current or in the low voltagerange 24 VDC or 42 VDC, etc.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplified embodiment of a building G comprising aplurality of horizontal floor levels S1, S2, S3 and an elevator system Ain a vertical elevator shaft S4. At least one elevator car 12 in theelevator shaft S4 is connected to a counter weight 14 via supportingmeans 15. The supporting means 15 is set in motion by an elevator drive13 for the purpose of moving the elevator car 12 and the counter weight14. A user has access to the elevator car 12 via an elevator door 10. Anelevator door 10 on each floor level S1, S2, S3 forms the boundarybetween the floor levels S1, S2, S3 and the elevator shaft S4. Theelevator door 10 is opened and closed via a door drive 16 which actuatesa car door 11. Whilst an elevator car has stopped at a floor level, thecar door 11 is mechanically coupled to the elevator doors 10, so thatboth the elevator car door 11 and the elevator doors 10 are opened andclosed simultaneously. The building G can comprise more than three floorlevels S1, S2, S3 and the elevator system A can comprise more than oneelevator car 12 in an elevator shaft S4 or also a plurality of elevatorcars 12 in a plurality of elevator shafts S4.

The user inputs a request for an elevator car 12 at a terminal 9. Therequest can be a request for a floor level, an elevator car request or adestination request. The terminal 9 transmits the request via a signalline to an elevator control 17. In the case of a floor level request,the elevator car 12 is moved to the starting floor level, where the userhas made a floor level request, whereupon the user in the elevator car12 makes an elevator car request to a destination floor level. In thecase of a destination request the user on a starting floor level makes acombined floor level request and elevator car request, in that he/shemerely inputs the destination floor level. The elevator car 12 is movedto the starting floor level and the user does not have to make anyfurther elevator car request in the elevator car 12 in order to betransported to the destination floor level.

In accordance with FIGS. 12 and 13, the terminal 9 comprises at leastone stationary request input device 90 in the embodiment of a key padand/or at least one stationary recognition device 92 for the purpose ofmaking the request. The user makes a request manually on the stationaryrequest input device 90, in that he presses at least one key. Forexample, the user inputs a destination request manually as a numbersequence on the key pad. The user receives on a stationary output device91 an optical and/or acoustical confirmation of the destination requestmade. The key pad can also be a touch-sensitive screen. The stationaryrecognition device 92 comprises a transmission and receiving unit for anelectro-magnetic field and communicates via a radio frequency with atleast one mobile request input device 95 located with the user. Themobile request input device 95 is, for example, a radio frequencyidentification card (RFID). The recognition device 92 interacts in amanner known per se with the mobile request input device 95 for thepurpose of receiving an identification code of the user. A pre-defineddestination request is allocated to the identification code. The userreceives on an output device 91 an optical and/or acoustic confirmationof the allocated destination request. The user can edit or delete thedestination request on the stationary request input device 90.

The elevator control 17 (FIG. 15) can be disposed at any location in thebuilding G. The elevator control 17 comprises at least one processor, atleast one computer-readable data storage device and an electricalcurrent supply. At least one computer program means is loaded out of thecomputer-readable data storage device into the processor andimplemented. The computer program means controls the movement of theelevator car 12 by means of the elevator drive 13, the opening andclosing of the elevator door 10 by means of the door drive 16 and theswitching of an electrical consumer 1 in the embodiment of an electriclighting unit in the elevator car 12. The elevator control 17 receivesat least one request from the terminal 9 or from a control device 7.

Three embodiments of electrical consumers 1, 1′, 1″ will be explainedhereinunder:

The first electrical consumer 1 is, for example, an electric lightingunit. Known and tried and tested embodiments of an electric lightingunit are light bulbs, neon tubes, LED's, etc. In accordance with FIG.15, an electric lighting unit is provided on each floor level S1, S2, S3and in the elevator car 12. The electric lighting unit is switched bymeans of at least one switch 3. The switch 3 opens or closes or dims atleast one power contact from the building power network 2 for electriclighting purposes. The electric lighting unit is supplied with anelectrical current in accordance with FIG. 3 either directly by thebuilding power network 2, for example, in the case of light bulbs, or inaccordance with FIGS. 2 and 4 via an electrical current supply 51, forexample, in the case of neon tubes and LED's.

The second electrical consumer 1′ is, for example, a door openingmechanism of the building door 8. This mechanism comprises a lockingbolt which can be moved between a locking position and an openingposition by a motor. In accordance with FIG. 10, the motor and thelocking bolt are installed in the lock plate of the door frame. Inaccordance with FIG. 11, the motor and the locking bolt are installed inthe door trim of the door leaf. The motor is supplied with electricalcurrent from an electrical current supply 51′. A switch 3 opens orcloses a power contact from the building power network 2 to the currentsupply 51′ of the door opening mechanism. In the case of door openingmechanisms which are actuated only occasionally, in accordance with FIG.5, the electrical current supply 51′ is energy self-sufficient, forexample by means of accumulators, batteries, etc.

The third electrical consumer 1″ is, for example, a camera, inparticular comprising a digital image sensor. The camera records imagesin the spectrum of visible light. The camera can record both stationaryand moving images. In accordance with FIG. 15, a camera is installed oneach floor level S1, S2, S3 and in the elevator car 12. The camera issupplied with electrical current from an electrical current supply 51″.A switch 3 opens or closes a power contact from the building powernetwork 2 to the current supply 51″ of the camera. For example, thecamera is operated with an electrical direct current of 3 VDC. Inaccordance with FIG. 8, the electrical current supply 51″ is suppliedwith electrical current by means of the building power network 2. Inaccordance with FIG. 9, the first network node 4 and the camera share acommon electrical current supply 5, 51″. It is also possible, as is thecase with the electrical consumer 1′ in FIG. 5 to install in an energyself-sufficient manner a camera which is actuated only occasionally.

At least two network nodes 4, 4′, 4″ communicate in the building G viaat least one radio network 40. A known local radio network 40, such asBluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) or WiFi (IEEE 802.11)can be used for this purpose. This communication is illustrated in FIGS.2 to 9 by the three curved line symbol. The radio network 40 facilitatesbi-directional communication in accordance with known and tried andtested network protocols such as the Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet-Protocol (TCP/IP) or ZigBee Protocol.

A network node 4, 4′, 4″ (FIGS. 2 to FIG. 9) comprises a processor, acomputer-readable data storage device and at least one antenna. At leastone computer program means can be loaded from the data storage deviceinto the processor. The computer program means controls thecommunication of the network node 4, 4′, 4″ via the antenna in the radionetwork 40. Each network node 4, 4′, 4″ has a substantially uniquenetwork address, for example, a Media Access Control (MAC) address or anEthernet Hardware Address (EHA). The first network node 4 receives acontrol signal S, S′which is transmitted to it, and thus switches aswitch 3. The switch 3 is, for example, a relay which can be controlledvia at least one signal line from the first network node 4. The computerprogram means of the first network node 4 controls the switching of theswitch 3. In accordance with FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8, the first network node4 and the switch 3 can be physically separate, the switch 3 is, forexample, a separate relay, contactor, etc. In accordance with FIGS. 3,5, 7 and 9, the first network node 4 and the switch 3 are combined, forexample, in such a way that the first network node 4 comprises anintegrated relay, contactor or the like. The control signal S, S″ istransmitted from a second or third network node 4′, 4″ to the firstnetwork node. The second network node 4′ ascertains a control signal S,S′, for example, on the basis of a signal received from a connectedsensor 6, 6′. When using a third network node 4″, the control signal S,S′ is not transmitted directly from the second to the first network node4, 4′ but rather initially from the second network node 4′ to the thirdnetwork node 4″ and then from the third network node 4″ to the firstnetwork node 4.

A plurality of electrical current supplies 5, 5′, 5″ supply the networknodes 4, 4′, 4″ or at least one sensor 6, 6′ in the respective suitablemanner with electrical current. A first network node 4 is supplied withelectrical current from a first electrical current supply 5. A secondnetwork node 4′ and a door sensor 6 or an identification sensor 6′ aresupplied with electrical current from a second electrical current supply5′. A third network node 4″ is supplied with electrical current from athird electrical current supply 5″. The electrical current supplies canbe supplied with electrical current from the building power network 2,however, they can also be energy self-sufficient.

The first electrical current supply 5 of the electrical network node 4is permanently supplied with electrical current from at least onebuilding power network 2. The first network node 4 which is suppliedpermanently with electrical current can therefore perform additionalnetwork-specific functions, such as routing, repeating, etc. This is ofparticular importance when the second network nodes 4′ are, undercertain circumstances not supplied permanently with electrical currentfrom the building power network 2 and it is necessary to use routers orrepeaters to forward the control signals S, S′, which are transmittedfrom the second network nodes 4′, for example, because the range of theradio network 40 in the building G is less than the distance to thereceiver of the control signals S, S′. Thus, in accordance with FIGS. 4to 9, the control signals S, S′ are transmitted from the second networknode 4′ to the third network 4″ of the control device 7. In the case oflarger buildings G, this third network 4″ can be located outside therange of the radio network 40. Depending upon the type of construction(cement, masonry, wood, etc.) of the building G, an effective range of aZigBee radio network is only a few tens of meters.

FIG. 1 shows an example of embodiment of the first electrical currentsupply 5. At least one rectifier 5.1 delivers electrical current fromthe three-phase current side or alternating current side of the buildingpower network 2 to a direct current side. The rectifier 5.1 is anuncontrolled rectifier with at least one diode. For example, therectifier 5.1 comprises a bridge circuit or mid-point tapped circuit orone-way circuit. An electrical mixed voltage with an alternating voltagecomponent and a direct voltage component is applied to the output of therectifier 5.1. The ratio of the alternating voltage component and directvoltage component is termed ripple. The electrical mixed voltagepulsates with this ripple. The output of the rectifier 5.1 is connectedwith an input of at least one transistor 5.3 by way of an electricalconductor 5.13. The output of the rectifier 5.1 is connected with afirst input of at least one switching regulator 5.2 by way of anelectrical conductor 5.12. At least one output of the transistor 5.3 isconnected with a second input of the switching regulator 5.2 by way ofan electrical conductor 5.32. The switching regulator 5.2 controls thetransistor 5.3 by way of a gate 5.23. The switched-on transistor 5.3conducts electrical current of the rectifier 5.1 during a time windowdefined by threshold value. The transistor 5.3 is switched by way of thegate 5.23 to be electrically conductive as soon as the electrical mixedvoltage at the first input of the switching regulator 5.2 drops below afreely definable first threshold value or as soon as the proportion,which is conducted through at the second input of the switchingregulator 5.2, of electrical mixed voltage drops below a freelydefinable second threshold value. Correspondingly, the transistor 5.3 isswitched by way of the gate 523 to be electrically non-conductive assoon as the electrical mixed voltage at the first input of the switchingregulator 5.2 exceeds the first threshold value or as soon as theproportion, which is conducted through at the second input of theswitching regulator 5.2, of electrical mixed voltage exceeds the secondthreshold value. The electrical mixed voltage applied to the first inputof the switching regulator 5.2 or the conducted proportion of electricalmixed voltage applied at the second input of the switching regulator 5.2is compared with the first and second threshold value by a respectivecomparator. Switching regulator 5.2 and transistor 5.3 form a controlledrectifier which rectifies the electrical mixed voltage without inductiveload. The output of the transistor 5.3 is connected with at least onecapacitor 5.4 by way of an electrical conductor 5.34. The capacitor 5.4is electrically charged by the electrical current conducted through. Thecapacitor 5.4 thus stores electrical energy and delivers an electricaldirect voltage 50. The electrical direct voltage 50 of the firstelectrical current supply 5 can be freely set in the range of 1.5 VDC to50 VDC by way of at least one voltage divider 5.5.

Two embodiments of the sensor 6, 6′ are explained hereinunder:

The door sensor 6 is attached in or to the building door 8. Inaccordance with FIG. 10, the door sensor 6 is at least one key 60, whichis clearly visible to the user adjacent to the building door 8. The doorsensor 6 detects that the key 60 has been actuated, for example, bymeans of an electro-mechanical contact, and generates at least one doorsensor signal S. In accordance with FIG. 11, the door sensor 6 isintegrated in the door trim and thus is not visible to users from theoutside. The door sensor 6 detects that the door latch 61 has been movedby means of an electro-mechanical contact and generates at least onedoor sensor signal S. The door sensor signal S also indicates whetherthe building door 8 has been opened or closed from a side remote from atleast one first electrical consumer 1 and/or whether the building door 8has been opened or closed from a side facing the first electricalconsumer 1.

A possible door sensor 6 is a motion detector which is disposed in thedoor frame of the building door 8 or in a building wall in the proximityof the building door 8. Likewise, a load-detecting mat can be used asthe door sensor 6. In this case, any opening of the building door 8 isassociated with the motion detector detecting movement or with theload-detecting mat detecting load on it. Accordingly, any closing of thebuilding door 8 is associated with the absence of any movement beingdetected by the motion detector or with the absence of any load beingdetected by the load-detecting mat. It is also possible to combine aplurality of door sensors 6 together and to generate accordinglycombined control signals.

The identification sensor 6′ is disposed in at least one terminal 9 inthe building G. The identification sensor 6′ detects the identity of atleast one user. In the embodiment of an identification sensor inaccordance with FIG. 12 the identification sensor corresponds to thestationary request input device 90 and comprises at least one key pad.The user identifies himself/herself, for example, manually, by inputtingan identification code as a number sequence on the key pad. In theembodiment of an identification sensor in accordance with FIG. 13, atleast one stationary detection device 92 is disposed in the casing ofthe terminal 9. The identification sensor corresponds to the stationarydetection device 92. The stationary detection device 92 receives atleast one identification code from at least one mobile request inputdevice 95 of the user.

The identification code which is input on the key pad or sent from themobile request input device 95 is evaluated and an identification sensorsignal S′ is generated for a recognized identity of a user. A controldevice 7 and/or the stationary detection device 92 check the identity ofthe user. In accordance with FIGS. 5 and 6, the control device 7 checksthe transmitted identification sensor signal S′ in accordance with themethod steps C4 and C5. In accordance with FIG. 7, the stationarydetection device 92 checks the detected identification code. Thetransmitted identification sensor signal S′ of the user or the detectedidentification code of the user are compared on both occasions against alist of users who have authorized access.

The door senor 6 and the identification sensor 6′ and their arrangementcan be combined. FIG. 15 shows, for example, a building door 8 disposedon the left on the floor levels S1, S2, S3, a combination andaccordingly a common arrangement of door and identification sensor 6,6′. For example, the user inputs an identification code via at least onekey 60 and the door sensor 6 subsequently generates a door sensor signalS and the identification sensor 6′ generates an identification sensorsignal S′.

At least one control device 7 (FIG. 15) comprises at least one processorand at least one computer-readable data storage device. At least onecomputer program means is loaded from the computer-readable data storagedevice into the processor and implemented. The computer-program meanscontrols the switching of an electrical consumer 1, 1′, 1″. The controldevice also generates at least one request, such as a floor levelrequest or a destination request and transmits this via at least onesignal line to the elevator control 17. The control device 7 cancommunicate with at least one remote control center 27 (FIG. 15) in abi-directional manner via at least one network 41. The network 41 can bea radio network or a fixed network as described above. The remotecontrol center 27 can be a remote maintenance control center whichremotely performs maintenance and security work on the building G and onthe elevator system A.

FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram with method steps of the method forswitching electrical consumers 1, 1′, 1″ in the building G.

In the method step A1, the door sensor 6 generates at least one doorsensor signal S and transmits it to the second network node 4′ (forexample, FIG. 2, FIG. 4). In the method step A2, the identificationsensor 6′ generates at least one identification sensor signal S′ andtransmits it to the second network node 4′.

In the method step B1, the second network node 4′ transmits atransmitted control signal S, S′ to a first network node 4. In themethod step B2, the second network node 4′ transmits a transmittedcontrol signal S, S′ to the third network node 4″(for example FIG. 4).In the method step C1, the third network node 4″ transmits a transmittedcontrol signal S, S′ to the control device 7. In the method steps C2 toC8, the control device 7 ascertains for a transmitted control signal S,S′ a network address of a first network node 4 of at least oneelectrical consumer 1, 1′, 1″. Subsequently the third network node 4″transmits a control signal S, S′ to the first network node 4 ascertainedin this manner. In the method step D1, the first network node 4 controlsthe switch 3 by means of the control signal S, S′. In method step D2,the switch 3 switches the electrical consumer 1, 1′, 1″ by means of thecontrol signal S, S′.

The first control signal S indicates “ON” if a building door 8 is openedor closed from a side remote from the first electrical consumer 1; thefirst control signal S indicates “OFF” or “DIM”, if a building door 8 isopened or closed from a side facing the first electrical consumer 1. Theswitching on and off procedure can be implemented with a freely variabledelay.

In accordance with FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the control signal S, S′ istransmitted by the sensor 6, 6′ directly to the first network 4 whichcontrols the electrical consumer 1, 1′, 1″. In accordance with FIGS. 4,5, 8 and 9, the control signal S, S′ is transmitted by the sensor 6, 6′indirectly and by switching on the control device 7 to the first networknode 4 which controls the electrical consumer 1, 1′, 1″. The controldevice 7 performs at least one of the following method steps C2 to C8:

Method step C2: The control device 7 ascertains for a transmitted doorsensor signal S at least one first electrical consumer 1 in theembodiment of an electric lighting unit. The control device 7 ascertainsfor the ascertained electric lighting unit a network address of a firstnetwork node 4. The control device 7 transmits the transmitted doorsensor signal S and the ascertained network address of the first networknode 4 to the third network node 4″. The third network node 4″ transmitsthe door sensor signal S to the ascertained network address of the firstnetwork node 4.

Method step C3: At least one destination signal which designates abuilding door 8 is generated for a transmitted door sensor signal S. Thecontrol device 7 ascertains for a generated destination signal at leastone first electrical consumer 1 in the embodiment of an electriclighting unit. The control device 7 also ascertains at least oneelectric lighting unit on the route from the door sensor 6 whichgenerates the door sensor signal S to the building door 8 which has beendesignated by the destination signal. The control device 7 ascertainsfor the ascertained electric lighting unit a network address of a firstnetwork node 4. The control device 7 transmits the generated door sensorsignal S and the transmitted network address of the first network node 4to the third network node 4″. The third network node 4″ transmits thegenerated door sensor signal S to the transmitted network address of thefirst network node 4.

Method step C4: The control device 7 checks at least one accessauthorization of a user to a building area for a transmittedidentification sensor signal S′. In the event that there is noauthorized access for the user to a building area for a transmittedidentification sensor signal S′, the control device 7 generates an alarmsignal, which if necessary is combined with a position indicator of theidentification sensor 6′, and the alarm signal is transmitted, forexample, to the control center 27.

In the event that the user has authorized access to a building area fora transmitted identification sensor signal S′, the control device 7ascertains at least one second electrical consumer 1′ in the embodimentof a door opening mechanism. The control device 7 ascertains for theascertained door opening mechanism a network address of a first networknode 4. The control device 7 transmits the door sensor signal S and theascertained network address of the first network node 4 to the thirdnetwork node 4″. The third network node 4″ transmits the door sensorsignal S to the ascertained network address of the first network node 4.

Method step C5: A transmitted identification sensor signal S′ is checkedas described above in method step C4. In the event that the user hasauthorized access to a building area for a transmitted identificationsensor signal S′, the control device 7 ascertains at least one firstelectrical consumer 1 in the embodiment of an electric lighting unit inthe building area. The control device 7 ascertains for the ascertainedelectric lighting unit a network address of a first network node 4. Thecontrol device 7 transmits the identification sensor signal S′ and theascertained network address of the first network node 4 to the thirdnetwork node 4″. The third network node 4″ transmits the identificationsensor signal S to the ascertained network address of the first networknode 4.

Method step C6: The control device 7 generates for a transmittedidentification sensor signal S′ at least one destination request signalwhich designates a destination floor level. The control device 7transmits the destination request signal to the elevator control 17 andthe user is transported in at least one elevator cabin 12 in accordancewith this destination request signal to the destination floor level. Thecontrol device 7 ascertains at least one first electrical consumer 1 inthe embodiment of an electric lighting unit on the destination floorlevel. The control device 7 generates for the ascertained electriclighting unit at least one control signal S and ascertains a networkaddress of a first network node 4. The control device 7 transmits thegenerated control signal S and the ascertained network address of thefirst network node 4 to the third network node 4″. The third networknode 4″ transmits the generated control signal S to the ascertainednetwork address of the first network node 4.

Method step C7: The control device 7 generates for a transmittedidentification sensor signal S′ at least one destination signal whichdesignates a building door 8. The control device 7 ascertains for agenerated destination signal at least one first electrical consumer 1 inthe embodiment of an electric lighting unit. The control device 7ascertains for a transmitted identification sensor signal S and agenerated destination signal at least one electric lighting unit on theroute from the identification sensor 6′ which generates theidentification sensor signal S′ to the building door 8 which isdesignated by the destination signal. The control device 7 generates forthe ascertained electric lighting unit at least one control signal S andascertains a network address of a first network node 4. The controldevice 7 transmits the generated control signal S and the ascertainednetwork address of the first network node 4 to the third network node4″. The third network node 4″ transmits the generated control signal Sto the ascertained network address of the first network node 4.

Method step C8: The control device 7 generates for a transmittedidentification sensor signal S′ at least one destination signal whichdesignates at least one building door 8. The control device 7 ascertainsat least one route time from the identification sensor 6′, whichgenerates the identification sensor signal S, to the building door 8which is designated by the destination signal. The control device 7checks whether a door sensor signal S of a door sensor 6 of the buildingdoor 8 designated by the destination signal is transmitted prior to theroute time expiring. In the event that such a door sensor signal S isnot transmitted, the control device 7 ascertains at least one thirdelectrical consumer 1″ in the embodiment of a camera on the route fromthe identification sensor 6′ which generates the identification sensorsignal S′ to the building door 8 designated by the destination signal.The control device 7 generates at least one activation signal for theascertained camera and ascertains a network address of a first networknode 4. The control device 7 transmits the generated activation signalS′and the ascertained network address of the first network node 4 to thethird network node 4″. The third network node 4″ transmits the generatedactivation signal S′ to the ascertained network address of the firstnetwork node 4. The first network node 4 controls the switch 3 of thecamera to “ON” by virtue of the activation signal S′. The camera recordsat least one image of the route from the identification sensor 6′, whichgenerates the identification sensor signal S′, to the building door 8which is designated by the destination signal. The camera transmits theimage to the first network node 4. The first network node 4 transmitsthe transmitted image to the third network node 4″. The third networknode 4″ transmits the transmitted image to the control device 7. Thecontrol device 7 transmits the transmitted image and a positionindicator of the third electrical consumer 1″ via the network 41 to thecontrol center 27. The control center 27 displays the image on a screenand evaluates it. The evaluation procedure consists, for example, ofexamining whether the user for whom the identification sensor signalS′has been generated can be recognized in the image. This can be bycomparison of the image with a reference image which includes the user.This comparison can be performed automatically by virtue of acorresponding computer program means and/or by means of a technician. Inthe event that the user can be recognized in the image and in the eventthat the user is obviously in a dangerous situation, at least one alarmsignal is generated. A dangerous situation exists, for example, if theuser is lying or sitting motionless on the floor. The alarm signal andthe position indicator of the third electrical consumer 1″ aretransmitted to a building security system, for example, as a telephonecall or multimedia messaging service (MMS) with the transmitted imageattached. The building security system can clarify the dangeroussituation on site and assign at least one security officer. For example,a security officer goes personally to the location indicated by theposition indicator of the third electrical consumer 1″ and searches forthe user. In the event that he/she finds the user, the security officertends to the needs of the user.

The method can be amended or supplemented such that the camera or thefirst network node 4 of the camera or the third network node 4″ of thecontrol device 7 transmit the transmitted image and the positionindicator of the third electrical consumer 1″ to the remote controlcenter 27.

Individual aspects of the above embodiments can be summarized asfollows: a method is provided for switching at least one electricalconsumer 1, 1′, 1″ in a building G with an elevator system. The switchedconsumer 1″ is, for example, a camera. The camera is activated, inparticular, if when using the elevator system the user does not actuatea building door 8 within an ascertained route time, i.e. the user hasnot arrived at his/her destination. It is possible using an imagerecorded by the camera to establish whether the user is possibly in adangerous situation.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the presentinvention has been described in what is considered to represent itspreferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention canbe practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and describedwithout departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a control devicecomprising: using an identification sensor, generating an identificationsensor signal identifying a user and a destination signal; determining astarting point for a route for the user through a building; determiningfrom the destination signal the route and an end point for the route ata building door of the building; determining a route time for travellingfrom the starting point for the route to the end point for the route;determining that a sensor signal for the building door was not receivedbefore an expiration of the route time; as a result of determining thatthe sensor signal for the building door was not received before theexpiration of the route time, activating by the control device anelectrical consumer positioned along the route, the electrical consumercomprising a camera; recording an image of a portion of the route usingthe camera; analyzing the recorded image; and determining whether theuser is in a dangerous situation.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising sending the recorded image to a control center.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising sending an alarm signal and positioninformation for the camera to a control center or to a building securitysystem.
 4. The method of claim 1, the sensor signal for the buildingdoor comprising an indication that the building door has been opened. 5.The method of claim 4, the sensor signal for the building doorindicating a direction in which the building door has been opened. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining from thedestination signal a destination floor in the building for theidentified user; and sending the destination signal to an elevatorcontrol unit.
 7. The method of claim 1, the sensor signal for thebuilding door being provided by a door sensor for the building door. 8.The method of claim 1, the electrical consumer being positioned on aportion of the route between an elevator and the building door.
 9. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereoninstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toperform a method, the method comprising: using an identification sensor,generating an identification sensor signal identifying a user and adestination signal; determining a starting point for a route for theuser through a building; determining from the destination signal theroute and an end point for the route at a building door of the building;determining a route time for travelling from the starting point for theroute to the end point for the route; determining that a sensor signalfor the building door was not received before an expiration of the routetime; as a result of determining that the sensor signal for the buildingdoor was not received before the expiration of the route time,activating an electrical consumer positioned along the route, theelectrical consumer comprising a camera; recording an image of a portionof the route using the camera; analyzing the recorded image; anddetermining whether the user is in a dangerous situation.
 10. A system,comprising: an identification sensor; a building door sensor for abuilding door in a building; an electrical consumer; and a controldevice, the control device being programmed for, using theidentification sensor, generating an identification sensor signalidentifying a user and a destination signal, determining a startingpoint for a route for the user through the building, determining fromthe destination signal the route and an end point for the route at thebuilding door, determining a route time for travelling from the startingpoint for the route to the end point for the route, determining that asensor signal from the building door sensor was not received before anexpiration of the route time, as a result of determining that the sensorsignal from the building door was not received before the expiration ofthe route time, activating the electrical consumer, the electricalconsumer being positioned along the route, the electrical consumercomprising a camera, recording an image of a portion of the route usingthe camera, analyzing the recorded image, and determining whether theuser is in a dangerous situation.
 11. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising a control center coupled to the control device.
 12. A controldevice, comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium having encoded thereon instructions that, when executedby the processor, cause the processor to perform by, using anidentification sensor, generating an identification sensor signalidentifying a user and a destination signal, determining a startingpoint for a route for the user through a building, determining from thedestination signal the route and an end point for the route at abuilding door of the building, determining a route time for travellingfrom the starting point for the route to the end point for the route,determining that a sensor signal for the building door was not receivedbefore an expiration of the route time, as a result of determining thatthe sensor signal for the building door was not received before theexpiration of the route time, activating an electrical consumerpositioned along the route, the electrical consumer comprising a camera,recording an image of a portion of the route using the camera, analyzingthe recorded image, and determining whether the user is in a dangeroussituation.
 13. A building, comprising: an identification sensor; abuilding door; a building door sensor for the building door; anelectrical device; and a control device, the control device beingprogrammed to perform by, using the identification sensor, generating anidentification sensor signal identifying a user and a destinationsignal, determining a starting point for a route for the user throughthe building, determining from the destination signal the route and anend point for the route at the building door, determining a route timefor travelling from the starting point for the route to the end pointfor the route, determining that a sensor signal from the building doorsensor was not received before an expiration of the route time, as aresult of determining that the sensor signal from the building door wasnot received before the expiration of the route time, activating theelectrical consumer, the electrical consumer being positioned along theroute, the electrical consumer comprising a camera, recording an imageof a portion of the route using the camera, analyzing the recordedimage, and determining whether the user is in a dangerous situation. 14.The building of claim 13, further comprising an elevator installation.15. The building of claim 14, the building comprising a first floor anda second floor, the control device: determining from the destinationsignal a destination floor in the building for the identified user; andsending the destination signal to the elevator installation.
 16. Thebuilding of claim 14, the building comprising a first floor and a secondfloor, the identification sensor being located on the first floor andthe building door being located on the second floor.